School holiday flights 2026–27
Holiday dates for 2026–27 in one place, live fares to family favourites, and ways to pay less when you have to travel in the school holidays.
School holiday dates 2026–27 (England)
| Holiday | Typical dates | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas | 21 December 2026 – 1 January 2027 | Fares peak around 20–23 December. Flying on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day is often cheaper. |
| February half term | 15–19 February 2027 | Ski and winter sun fill fast. Compare Saturday and Sunday departures. |
| Easter | About 26 March – 9 April 2027 | Easter Sunday is 28 March. The second week is often cheaper than the first. |
| May half term | 31 May – 4 June 2027 | Some primary schools have two weeks. Check yours before booking. |
| Summer | From about 22 July 2027 | The most expensive weeks are late July and early August. Late August is often cheaper. |
Typical dates used by many councils, such as Stockport and Greenwich. Academies and free schools can set their own dates – always check with your school.
Live fares to family favourites
Lowest recent return fares from London. Search to see prices for your holiday dates.
| Destination | From London | Search |
|---|---|---|
| Tenerife | from £32return · found 7 days ago | Search |
| Antalya | from £48return · found 4 days ago | Search |
| Palma, Majorca | from £42return · found 2 days ago | Search |
| Faro, Algarve | from £48return · found 6 days ago | Search |
| Barcelona | from £25return · found 3 days ago | Search |
| Dubai | from £227return · found 4 days ago | Search |
| Orlando | from £505return · found 6 days ago | Search |
Cheapest days to fly to Tenerife
Day-by-day one-way prices from London. Green days are cheapest. Tap a day to search that date.
7 ways to pay less in the school holidays
- Book early for summer and Christmas – prices on popular routes rise as seats sell.
- Fly midweek – a Tuesday or Wednesday is often cheaper than a Saturday.
- Try another airport – compare London, Manchester, Birmingham and your local airport.
- Go at the end of the holiday – the last week of August is usually cheaper than late July.
- Check the bags – a cheap fare without bags can cost more for a family.
- Fly early or late – first and last flights of the day can be cheaper.
- Set a budget and compare – the same flight can cost very different amounts on different sites.
School holiday flights: your questions
Why are flights so expensive in the school holidays?
Demand jumps when millions of families travel at once. Which? found August fares were 167% higher than January.
What is the cheapest day to fly in the school holidays?
Midweek departures are often cheaper than Fridays and Saturdays. Use the day-by-day calendar to compare dates.
Are term dates the same everywhere?
No. Councils, academies and free schools can set their own dates. Always check with your child’s school.
Can I take my child out of school to get a cheaper flight?
Taking children out of school in term time without permission can lead to a fine. The cheaper weeks either side suit families with pre-school children or schools with different dates.